North Carolina had barely finished its celebration after dismissing South Carolina in a highly tense NCAA super regional when coach Mike Fox heard his coaching staff expressing more good news.

There would be no need for extensive research to learn about the next opponent.

That’s because the foe is North Carolina State. The baseball teams meet this afternoon in the College World Series.

“They were all excited in the locker room because they don’t have to do a scouting report,” Fox said. “It was almost like it was designed to head down this path (with the teams meeting again). You guys keep doing this and we’re going to put you guys together in the College World Series.”

Since the initial reaction from the assistant coaches, the Tar Heels have come to another realization: They have to face Wolfpack ace Carlos Rodon, a sophomore left-hander who leads the country in strikeouts.

The positive fallout from that from the Tar Heels’ perspective is that they didn’t strike out at all in Tuesday’s game against South Carolina.

North Carolina will send junior left-hander Kent Emanuel to the mound.

N.C. State is 5-0 in the NCAA Tournament, while LSU and UCLA — the other two teams on that side of the bracket — also are unscathed in the NCAAs this year. North Carolina lost twice, coming from behind to win two elimination games.

“Obviously, we’ve had some pretty emotional games the past couple of weeks,” North Carolina outfielder Parks Jordan said. “It’s unbelievable the emotion this team has.”

N.C. State had its share of dramatics, too, clinching a spot in the eight-team field in Omaha, Neb., by defeating Rice in 17 innings a week ago.

“That’s what you need to win these type of games,” Wolfpack catcher Brett Austin said of the concentration and clutch play.

The last time the Tar Heels and Wolfpack met there wasn’t resolution until 18 innings in an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament game that determined one of the league’s finalists. This time, there’s no waiting around.

“I think it’s interesting that we play them first,” North Carolina designated hitter Landon Lassiter said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t take that long.”